“Grit and clutch from real CHAMP!” – Fans hail Iga Swiatek as she reaches first US Open final

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2 years ago

Iga Swiatek (WTA - Twitter)

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek showed her class to come from one set down to defeat Aryna Sabalenka 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the US Open semifinal at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Iga Swiatek (WTA – Twitter)

Iga Swiatek showed that champions find a way to succeed in the face of adversity. World No. 6 Aryna Sabalenka gave her best shot and stunned the 21-year-old to win the first set. However, the two-time French Open champion came back strongly to blow away the Belarusian in the second set.

In the decisive third set, Sabalenka broke Swiatek in the opening game, and in the fifth game to take a 3-2 lead. The 24-year-old held serve to go 4-2 up and within touching distance of a maiden Grand Slam final appearance. However, the Polish star once again managed to come back emphatically when her back was against the wall. The match ended with Sabalenka’s 44th unforced error in the 10th game.

With the win, Swiatek made it to her first US Open final. She is one win away from adding her seventh title in what has been a memorable season. The special player will go up against Tunisian star Ons Jabeur in the final. Jabeur sealed her ticket to the big final with a comprehensive win against Caroline Garcia. Swiatek and Jabeur faced each other only once in 2022. It was at the Italian Open final. Swiatek won the match in straight sets 6-2, 6-2 but expect the US Open final to be a much more evenly-contested affair.